A guard on the other side of the partition waved for Lena to walk through the opening. As she did, red beams of light shot out from the edges of the partition and quickly passed over her body. A light above the opening flashed green. Logan and Cap followed Lena. They were led to another locked door where the guard from the partition pressed a button on the wall to the side of the door.
A voice from a speaker said, “ID.”
The guard held his ID up to a small camera above the door. A moment later, there was a click, followed by a buzzing sound. The guard opened the door for the group to enter and then returned to his station at the partition. The room they entered was dimly lit. Soldiers sat in front of a dozen view screens showing a variety of data or images. Their two guards led them through the darkened space to a conference room on the other side. When they entered, they saw Ravenwood, Kane, Consul Sawyer, General Espinoza, and two other army officers.
“Take a seat,” said Consul Sawyer, indicating three empty chairs.
“What’s going on?” asked Logan.
Consul Sawyer smiled and cleared her throat. “We’ve heard Ravenwood’s explanation of what you call the Apollo Stone and its purpose. Needless to say, we found it highly implausible. In fact, many of us still feel that way.” She looked at General Espinoza.
“However, something extraordinary has happened which lends credence to the story,” continued Sawyer. “Last night, at eleven twenty-two, we picked up what are undoubtedly coded signals emanating from an area near Jupiter. Then, at twelve twenty-seven this morning, we detected another very strange signal similar to what we had heard from near Ganymede. But this second signal originated from somewhere in the PRA.”
Cap looked at Ravenwood. “Sounds like you were right, Ravenwood. The Sahiradin is calling his friends to come pick him up.”
“I’d prefer to have been wrong,” said Ravenwood gravely.
Consul Sawyer continued. “We believe there are two or perhaps three distinct sets of codes in play here. We have identified at least ten sources of one of the signals. The most active of these is headed straight for Earth.”
“A mothership and probes,” said Lena.
“Excuse me?” said Espinoza.
“If I were the captain of a ship that just arrived in a new solar system, I’d want to know as much about it as possible. I’d send probes in all directions.”
Sawyer nodded her head and said, “Yes. That’s a possibility.”
“I agree with your assessment,” Ravenwood said to Lena. “The probes are looking for the Stone. We have to assume the signals we are detecting are also being beamed back to a mothership, as you say. Or perhaps multiple ships.”
“So the Sahiradin are coming, and they want the Apollo Stone back,” said Logan. “What do you want from us?”
“Two things,” said Espinoza. He looked at Lena. “First, do you remember seeing or hearing anything indicating the PRA was expecting these transmissions? Is there any reason to believe they have some kind of relationship with these Sahiradin, beyond the alleged crash survivor?”
Lena shook her head. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Okay,” said Espinoza. He looked at Logan. “Second, Ravenwood tells us you had some kind of mental episode when your brain hooked up with the Apollo Stone. Personally, I think that’s a bunch of horseshit. But I gotta ask, have you had any other of these mental fits since you arrived here at Jasper Air Force base?”
“No,” said Logan coolly. “I haven’t.”
Consul Sawyer looked at Ravenwood and then at Espinoza. “So what now?” she asked. “There’s a League Council meeting in thirty minutes to discuss these signals from space as well as the apparent response transmitted from the PRA. What am I supposed to tell them?”
“Tell them the truth,” said Ravenwood. “We’re about to have direct contact with one or more alien species, and there’s a very good chance that soon we’ll be fighting for the survival of humanity.”
“We’ve got our hands full with the PRA,” said General Espinoza. “The last thing we need is a dustup with a bunch of bug-eyed little aliens.”
“It will be more than a ‘dustup’, General,” said Ravenwood. “I believe the two types of signals you’ve detected belong to the Sahiradin and the Lycians; the latter is a group of allied species fighting the Sahiradin. I hope the Lycians arrive first, but we should prepare ourselves if it is the Sahiradin.”
“Prepare for what? How in the hell would you know any of this?” asked General Espinoza. “I’m not doing one damn thing until I know how you get your information. We’ve got a huge PRA army massing across the river from St. Louis, and we’ll need every gun we’ve got to keep them from crossing. I’m not taking one soldier off the line to fight these boogiemen until I can confirm what you’re saying is correct!”
“I can’t point you to any convincing evidence,” admitted Ravenwood. “But what I’m saying is true, and by the time you’ve seen enough to be convinced, it will be too late!”
Angered by Ravenwood’s tone of voice, General Espinoza rose to his feet and was about to respond, but Consul Sawyer raised her hand and said in a loud voice, “Your point is well taken, General Espinoza. But something alien is coming toward Earth, and fast. That much is beyond dispute. I honestly don’t know what we can do to respond to this potential new threat and still maintain our forces on the river. For better or for worse, we’ll know their intentions in a matter of days.”
Chapter 49
Kurak entered his identity card into the slot in the wall. He placed his palm on a nearby pad until the light turned green and then punched in his code. The door opened and he walked into the hangar bay. The guard on the other side of the door noticed him, but quickly directed his eyes straight ahead.
Kurak knew his long white hair, pale blue eyes and pale scaly skin made people uncomfortable. They had all been told the same story about him. He had been born not only an albino but also with a rare form of leprosy. An absurd lie, of course, but he discovered long ago that humans often prefer an absurd lie over a disturbing truth.
He climbed up the ladder to the scaffolding that ran along all four walls. Below him, technicians were completing the Blackhawk’s pre-flight preparations. The human leadership had been extremely upset with the loss of the Apollo Stone, the Kaiytáva. Even he had been interrogated for hours after they discovered it was missing. They tore apart the laboratory and Chambers’ office, and they launched their massive search operation to locate the three fugitives who had taken it. But they had failed. The Kaiytáva was now in the hands of the League, though not for much longer.
Kurak looked down at the Blackhawk from his perch on the scaffolding. One of the technicians glanced up but quickly looked away when he saw Kurak ghostlike visage staring down at him. The technician tapped his companion on the shoulder and they moved to another section of the large craft. The thirty-seven-meter-long Blackhawk was equal parts gunship, troop transport, and spacecraft. It was powered by a highly advanced fusion reactor engine, and her remarkably nimble flight abilities were enhanced by a gravity dampener equal to nearly seventy-five percent of its mass, making it extremely light and maneuverable. The gravity dampeners also allowed engineers to heavily arm the ship without compromising speed or agility. Humans had never built anything like it. Never would have built anything like it for centuries or longer without his help.
Well, perhaps not centuries, admitted Kurak to himself. There were a few shining lights, the late Dr. Chambers having been perhaps the brightest among them. Chambers had overcome a number of seemingly impossible challenges with remarkable ease. Kurak had admired his ability to adapt advanced Sahiradin technological concepts to the PRA’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities. But now the traitor was dead, just as his greatest achievements were to be put to the test.
Kurak walked along the length of the scaffolding, looking at the sleek dark gray ship and the graceful sweep of its wings. They were short, but could afford to be shorter than any ty
pical aircraft of this size due to the Blackhawk’s gravity dampeners. Under the wings were a number of missile launchers and small gun turrets. The fuselage was long enough to carry two hundred soldiers, two hundred and fifty if the seats were retracted and everyone stood. Round nodes housing the energy pulse guns were located at various places along the length of the ship. Capable of firing bursts of high energy photons coupled with focused sonic waves, the pulse guns could disrupt enemy electrical systems or destroy human targets with extreme and deadly accuracy. The ship was covered in heat-resistant tiles and protective stealth shielding to make it both space worthy and invisible to any known detection system. And an advanced long duration antiballistic shield made it practically impervious to conventional projectile weapons.
Kurak saw Red Leg soldiers lining up behind the Blackhawk. Their shoulders, torsos, thighs, and shins were covered in dark gray Provex armor. The Provex could deflect most sword strikes and even bullets if your shield was down and you had a little luck. The Red Leg captain leading the assault gave the soldiers a few last-minute instructions. The men and women, armed with M-35s, bracers, and swords shouted Yes sir! They marched up the short ramp and into the rear of the Blackhawk’s fuselage.
Kurak checked his more advanced bracer to ensure it was fully powered. Then he pulled his sword out of its scabbard to examine the blade. It was made of inferior metal when compared with his Sahiradin blade, but that had been lost long ago when his ship, Vanquisher, exploded. He reached over his left shoulder and slid the blade into the scabbard of his battle pack and took a deep breath. He descended from the scaffolding on a ladder nearest to the cockpit and walked toward the gunship.
The men were all on board now and the pilot and co-pilot were just completing their systems check. The pilot exchanged a few words with the control tower. Kurak sat in the vacant navigator’s seat and strapped himself in. The pilot acknowledged his presence with a nod but did not speak to him. A moment later Kurak heard a soft humming sound as the fusion reactor sent power to the gravity dampeners and thrusters. The Blackhawk rolled through the hangar door and taxied to the head of a nearby runway.
“Roger that, control,” said the pilot. “All systems are go. Awaiting flight clearance.”
“Clearance granted, Blackhawk,” said the voice from the control tower. “Good hunting.”
“Prepare for takeoff,” said the pilot through the intercom to the troops in the back.
A heartbeat later, the Blackhawk raced down the runway and quickly leapt into the air. Kurak saw the pilot smile as he guided the agile ship into the sky and bank left. The pilot turned west and gunned the engines, flying just above the treetops toward the Mississippi River half a continent away.
Chapter 50
When the alarms at Jasper Air Base sounded, Blackhawk was already firing on the defensive batteries. The base’s automated defense systems had failed to detect the ship’s approach, and the manned guns were unable to penetrate the ship’s antiballistic shield. Men and women poured out of their barracks in response to the sirens in varying states of readiness. Those without shields were cut down by Blackhawk’s automated gun turrets. Others found cover and began firing at the low hovering ship.
Red Legs quickly deployed out of the gunship’s rear, jumping the short distance to the ground and dashing toward previously determined goals. As soon as the troops were off, the gunship rose into the air and fired its ballistic weapons to clear the way for the charging Republican Special Forces. It also continued to target the base’s defensive systems using its pulse guns, silencing all of them in under a minute.
Logan, Cap and Lena woke to the sound of blaring alarms. They looked at each other, momentarily confused, but then they heard shouting through their closed door as a group of armed troopers ran by. The lights flickered and then the power went out. A backup generator kicked in and dim red lights came on.
“The base is under attack!” Logan shouted to the others above the sound of a nearby explosion.
He stood and pulled on the locked door, banging on it and shouting for someone to open it. After a few frustrating moments, he heard Ravenwood’s voice shout, “Stand back!”
The door burst open and they immediately ran through it. Ravenwood was already running down the hallway but not toward the exit. They followed him into the heart of the building.
“We have to get the Apollo Stone,” he shouted over his shoulder.
Troopers ran past them toward the exits and the PRA attackers, but they continued toward the building’s interior. The hallway ended in a T intersection. A heavy metal door stood in front of them. Ravenwood looked down each hall, then back at the metal door.
Rubbing his head in agitation, he said, “I’m not sure which way to go.”
“It’s this way,” said Logan, pointing down the right hand corridor.
Ravenwood ran in the direction Logan had pointed. There was an explosion just in front of them and plaster and concrete fell from the ceiling. They closed their eyes and covered their faces as dust filled the air around them. A few moments later, Logan opened his eyes to see Ravenwood pulling stones from the pile, revealing a gap to the other side. He squeezed through. Logan, Cap, and Lena followed him through and found three dead League troopers on the other side. The sound of shouting voices came toward them from farther down the corridor.
Ravenwood squinted to see through the smoke and dust. Then he turned and said, “Red Legs!”
“Get their bracers and weapons,” yelled Lena as she knelt down by the dead League troopers. In moments the three of them had strapped on the bracers and engaged the League version of the arm guard and shield.
Ravenwood cautiously led them down the corridor. Logan saw a group of League troopers firing into the shadows. Suddenly a number of Red Legs rushed forward, swords drawn. The troopers drew their blades and a vicious close-quarters battle ensued. More Red Legs joined the fight, overrunning the League’s position and killing the defenders. Then they saw Logan and the others and attacked.
Lena stepped forward. Logan’s heart skipped a beat as he watched the lead Red Leg race toward her. Lena was not in a proper defensive stance, but rather stood flatfooted with her sword at her side. Suddenly, just as the Red Leg was upon her, she spun low and sliced her assailant at the knee just above his shin guard, sending him to the ground.
More Red Legs attacked. Logan fended off an assault from two of them. Cap faced three and rapidly gave up ground while using sword and guard to deflect their attacks. Lena dropped back to be level with Cap, trying to offer a unified front in the narrow hallway.
“It’s on the other side,” yelled Logan as he took a step forward and slashed at one of his opponents with the League sword he’d picked up. “We have to get through!”
More Red Legs arrived. The four of them were now outnumbered three to one and were forced to give up more and more ground, though they tried to mount counterattacks. Lena used a quick parry and lunge to drive her sword through the shoulder of a Red Leg. As she did so, another swung at her exposed flank, but Logan stepped in to block the attack.
Then Logan heard the sound of metal striking metal from behind the Red Legs. Through the dim light he saw Kane attacking the enemy from the rear. Some of them turned to attack him, but they were met by League troopers, including Lieutenant Styles. Logan saw her drive a dagger through a Red Leg’s thigh and then cut him down with her sword. More League troopers joined her and Kane. Sensing they were surrounded, the Red Legs changed their formation into a phalanx and charged toward Kane and the troopers, hoping to get out. Though they killed five defenders, they couldn’t break through, and in a few moments the Red Legs were dead.
Logan looked at Kane and Lieutenant Styles. “Just in time,” he said with a smile.
The sounds of shouting voices and gunfire erupted from behind Kane and Styles. A group of Red Legs was trying to break through from behind. Styles turned and ordered her troopers to advance and form a defensive line.
“We need to
get the stone!” yelled Ravenwood.
“We’ll hold them off!” yelled Styles. “Get to the command center. That’s where it is.”
Ravenwood looked at Logan and said, “Which way?”
Logan pointed with his sword. “Through there.”
Logan ran forward and the others followed. They wound their way around several smoke-filled halls until they entered the base’s central command center through a hole that had been blown in the wall. Logan peered through the hole and saw several dead League troopers on the floor. On the far side of the room were half a dozen Red Legs and a tall white-haired figure dressed in black Provex armor. He was holding the Apollo Stone up to the room’s dim red emergency lighting, his thin pale lips pulled into a grin. The enemy soldiers turned to face Logan and the others as they entered the room.
Ravenwood whispered to the others, “At last, we meet our Sahiradin castaway.”
Kurak tucked the Apollo Stone into an inner pocket behind his breastplate and drew his sword. The other Red Legs drew their swords and slowly advanced, spreading out as they approached. The sound of distant explosions and firing weapons filtered into the room as Kane walked forward with arms slightly outstretched, inviting the Red Legs to attack. Two of them accepted the invitation. Lena moved quickly to support Kane’s right side and Cap followed. Logan moved up to Kane’s left side. Ravenwood stood next to Logan, a sword in his large hands.
Kane quickly dropped one of his opponents and the other slid over to face him. He lunged at Kane, but it was a ruse and he joined the attack on Cap. Surprised, Cap blocked the new opponent’s sword but could not stop the first Red Leg from slicing his shoulder. Cursing, Cap grabbed his wound and dropped back. Lena moved over to fill the gap, but her opponent cut her thigh as she moved, which sent her to the ground. Kane spun toward Lena and thrust a sword at a Red Leg’s ribs. His blade slid off the Red Leg’s Provex armor, but his dagger found the gap between the man’s shoulder plate and neck, giving him a vicious gash.
The Navigator (The Apollo Stone Trilogy Book 1) Page 29